Colombia (The Coffee Growers) are a team on the rise, after having failed to qualify in 2002, 2006 and 2010, they managed to reach the Quarter Finals last World Cup, knocking out Uruguay. They also managed a 3rd place in the 2016 Copa America, losing the eventual Champions Chile in the semi-final.
Colombia have strong players in all the key areas, with Radamel Falcao up front, James Rodriguez and Cuadrado in the midfield, Zapata at the back and Ospina in goal. They are a very strong team who can be hit and miss in games but always show up in major tournaments. With Flacao coming to the end of his career and no real youngsters coming through to replace him, it is now or never for Colombia if they want to put their stamp on the world.
Japan (Samurai Blue) were for the most part of moden history, Kings of Asia. Asian Cup Champions in 92, 00, 04 and 2011 and have qualified for every world cup since 98. Japan have a pattern going in world cups, making it to the round of 16 on every 2nd attempt and considering they were knocked out last time in the group strage, the pattern suggests they may just make it further this year.
Japan's midfield have mostly senior players who are no longer as effective as they used to be. Although Honda and Kagawa are very good players, they no longer have the ability to grab a game by the neck and control it at will. They also have a somewhat questionable defence which away from home, lacks the intesity necessary to hold teams off.
They are fairly strong going forward and can trouble teams with amazing free kicks, but probably lack the stability to see out games even if they grab a lead.
I think this will be a fun game with 2 attacking minded teams it should be quite interesting. I feel like Japan may just be outclassed by their South American opponents but won't roll over without a fight. 3-1 Colombia.
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